Partnerships

MAKUENI COUNTY LAUNCHES ‘INSPIRING READERS’ PROJECT

The County Government of Makueni, in partnership with the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), has launched the Inspiring Readers Project at Mutyambua Library in Mbitini Ward. The program benefits five schools in Mbitini and Emali/Mulala Wards.

Chief Officer ICT, Education, and Internship, Irene Makau, reaffirmed Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s commitment to strengthening community libraries to enhance reading culture in the county emphasizing the County government’s commitment to embrace virtual reading by ensuring internet connectivity to the County Libraries.

KNLS officials led by Director Preservation Betty Kalugho unveiled plans to roll out virtual libraries in County Libraries. Already, learners are showing improved reading skills and confidence, with the initiative sparking a love for reading. With ten libraries established in partnership with Book Aid International, the success at Mutyambua sets the pace for further expansion across the county.

MAKUENI’S NEW ENERGY POLICY LIGHTS THE WAY FOR CLEAN, RELIABLE ACCESS

Makueni County has launched an ambitious new energy policy that aims to deliver clean, affordable, and reliable power to homes, schools, health centers, and business across its six sub-counties, cementing its place as a national leader in Kenya’s green energy transition.

Unveiled Tuesday in Wote by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., the Energy Policy 2025 builds on a string of successful projects, including 44 solar installations, expanded electricity grid access, and the county’s first clean cooking pilot.

The policy follows the Makueni County Energy Plan 2023–2032, already delivering impact across health, water, agriculture, trade, and gender sectors. In FY 2024/25 alone, the county invested KES 99.38 million in solar energy.

Over 60 market centers have been fitted with solar streetlights, while five towns now boast high-mast floodlights, which has enhanced security and extended trading hours.

The new policy was developed in collaboration with UK PACT, Strathmore University, World Resources Institute, and Just Energy Transition Africa.

The British High Commission to Kenya, through representative Dan Wilcox, called Makueni’s efforts “trailblazing.” Prof. Izael Da Silva of Strathmore University urged the national government to follow suit, calling energy access a driver of GDP growth.

Dr. Rebekah Shirley of the World Resources Institute praised Makueni for crafting energy solutions tailored to local needs.

MAKUENI SHINES IN FAMILY PLANNING AS COUNTY RECORDS 64% MODERN CONTRACEPTIVE PREVELENCE RATE UPTAKE

Makueni County has been hailed as a model for family planning in Kenya, boasting a modern contraceptive prevalence rate of 64 percent against the National’s 57%.

The recognition came from the Ministry of Health and development partners during the national World Contraceptive Day celebrations held at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote on Friday.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Albert Ndwiga, the Ministry of Health’s Family Planning Program Manager, praised Makueni’s progressive strides, noting this as a key reason the county was chosen to host the national event.

He urged men to actively support their partners in family planning initiatives and challenged those who undermine the progress.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili highlighted milestones achieved, including integrating family planning into maternal health services, particularly in the immediate postpartum period, leading to reduced maternal deaths linked to unintended pregnancies.

She commended the role of community health promoters who champion family planning at the household level.

Mulili also called on the national government to strengthen data systems and enhance accountability to ensure evidence-based policies and equitable resource allocation.

FRENCH ENVOY LEADS DELEGATION TO MAKUENI TO ASSESS LIFE-SAVING HEALTH PROJECTS

French Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Arnaud Suquet, on Wednesday led a high-powered delegation of five French parliamentarians and partners to Makueni County to review the progress of Unitaid-funded health projects.

The team assessed the AMPLI-PPHI program, led by Jhpiego, which focuses on reducing maternal deaths caused by excessive bleeding after birth as well as a cancer screening and treatment program led by Clinton Health Access Initiative.

The visit , supported through Global Health Advocates France (GHA), mobilizes French and European policymakers to champion sustainable financing and innovative solutions for global health.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. won praise for steering impactful interventions, including the introduction and scale up of life saving innovations such as heat stable carbetocin for PPH prevention, obstetric drapes for objective blood loss measurement and across all public health facilities providing birthing services in Makueni county.

Remarkably, Makueni has recorded zero maternal deaths from PPH in the year 2023 and 2024.

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH WOMEN ENGAGED IN DEVELOPMENT TO TRAIN BODABODA OPERATORS ON MATERNAL HEALTH

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday joined Prof.Ann Kihara, Executive Director for Women Engaged in development to roll out an innovative program targeting bodaboda operators as key players in maternal healthcare under the Okoa na Mtoto Initiative.

The launch, held at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote, brought together bodaboda representatives who were trained as trainers of trainers on maternal, newborn, and adolescent health.

They will cascade this knowledge to their peers across the county to ensure safer pregnancies and deliveries.

Prof. Ann Kihara noted that expectant women in rural areas often rely on bodabodas as the most accessible and affordable means of transport during emergencies.

She emphasized that training riders would strengthen their role in supporting timely maternal healthcare.

Her program aims to, within two years, cut maternal deaths reported in health facilities by 30 percent, achieve 80 percent timely emergency transfers, and enroll at least 40 percent of active riders into an accredited emergency transport network.

Governor Mutula urged bodaboda leaders to sensitize their members, stressing that their involvement is vital in reducing preventable maternal and child mortality in Makueni.

MAKUENI COUNTY LAUNCHES ‘INSPIRING READERS’ PROJECT.

The Government of Makueni County, in partnership with the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), has launched a major literacy initiative, the Inspiring Readers Project. The event held today at the Kithasyu Library brought together learners and educators from five beneficiary schools in Thange, Makindu, and Nguumo wards, signaling a strong commitment to boosting reading culture and expanding access to learning resources across the county.

The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for ICT, Education, and Internship, Japheth Mang’oka used the platform to reaffirm Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and the County Government’s dedication to supporting all of its community libraries. He praised local residents for their role in ensuring the projects’ success and sustainability. Complementing this effort, KNLS officials announced a new collaboration to develop virtual libraries within County ICT Centres, bridging the digital divide and expanding knowledge access beyond physical walls.

The project is already having a profound impact, with students expressing excitement about the new school libraries and noting a significant improvement in their reading skills and confidence. With ten libraries already established in partnership with Book Aid International, the program’s success at Kithasyu paves the way for its next expansion to the Mutyambua Library in Mbitini Ward, empowering communities through the transformative power of education.

NORTHERN CORRIDOR OFFICIALS SEEK PARTNERSHIP WITH MAKUENI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday received officials from the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA), led by Director for Investment and Promotion Dennis Mganga, during a courtesy call at his office.

The NCTTCA which includes Road networks, Railways and Pipelines is a major trade route linking Kenya to the wider East African region, coordinating cargo movement and promoting infrastructure development to strengthen cross-border trade.

The visit focused on exploring collaboration with Makueni County to tap into economic opportunities along the busy transnational highway.

Governor Kilonzo welcomed the initiative, noting that Makueni has open spaces for investment in infrastructure that can spur growth.

He emphasized that the partnership will ease transport for farmers and traders, making it easier to sell and move produce.

The Governor was flanked by Trade CECM Dr. Sonia Nzilani and Transport counterpart Eng. Peter Mumo.

GOVERNOR MUTULA COMMISSIONS YUMBUNI BOREHOLE WATER PROJECT IN NGUU/MASUMBA WARD

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, flanked by Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) Country Director Christian Schniepper, on Thursday commissioned the Yumbuni Borehole Water Project in Nguu/Masumba Ward.

The project, implemented through a partnership between the County Government of Makueni, the local community, and WHH, brings immense relief to residents who have long struggled to access clean and reliable water.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s administration has forged strategic collaborations with WHH and other partners to drive universal water coverage and the Last Mile Water Connectivity.

Under these collaborations, WHH has so far completed 14 water projects since August 2022, with two more scheduled for implementation before July 2026.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, MCA Daniel Musau, Water CEC Eng. John Kieti, Devolution CEC Nicholas Nzioka, and Assembly Minority Leader Jades Kalunda were among the leaders present at the event.

CHAK PARTNERS WITH MAKUENI TO BOOST MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES.

The Department of Health Services in Makueni has joined hands with the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK) to roll out a comprehensive reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) project aimed at transforming healthcare delivery in the county.

The partnership seeks to expand universal access to RMNCAH and nutrition services through gender-responsive, inclusive, and sustainable health programs that will significantly improve health outcomes.

In Makueni, CHAK plans to scale up the introduction of innovative maternal and child health products while enhancing access to high-impact interventions.

The initiative is expected to contribute to a sharp reduction in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and neonatal mortality rate (NMR).

According to Rhodah Njeru, CHAK’s Technical Advisor on RMNCH, the organization is keen on building the capacity of healthcare workers to align their practices with national MNCH guidelines, particularly in the management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and neonatal care.

Among the innovations CHAK is introducing in Makueni include:

•PPH management bundle and calibrated drapes.

• IV Iron (Ferric Carboxymaltose): A 15-minute, 1,000mg intravenous injection administered once during pregnancy, ideally in the second trimester, to address moderate and severe anemia.

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): A critical respiratory support technology for premature infants, often used alongside surfactant therapy to assist babies struggling with breathing difficulties.

Welcoming the partnership, Teresia Maweu, Makueni’s Deputy County Reproductive Health Coordinator, pledged the county’s full support.She said the intervention will go a long way in safeguarding the lives of mothers and children.

MAKUENI MOVES TO STRENGTHEN CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION AND CARE.

The Department of Health Services, in partnership with the University of Nairobi through the ACES Fellowship Kenya on Women’s Health and Cervical Cancer Prevention, on Tuesday convened a high-level policy engagement forum aimed at stepping up the fight against cervical cancer in Makueni.

The forum, held in the county, brought together key stakeholders to review current service delivery, identify existing barriers, and chart practical strategies to strengthen prevention, early detection, and management of the disease.

Members of the County Assembly Health Committee , Elizabeth Muthike, Brian Nzoka, Budget Committee Chair Hon. Denis Musyoka, and Elizabeth Mutindi joined the County Health Management Team in robust discussions that generated actionable recommendations.

Stakeholders praised Makueni for its progress in cancer management but emphasized the need to scale up public awareness and advocacy on cervical cancer screening.

They noted that increasing access to timely screening and treatment would be critical in reducing preventable deaths among women.